Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781305112100
Author: Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Question
Chapter 22, Problem 1RQ
Summary Introduction

To determine: The way by which cancer cells are structurally different from normal cells of the same tissue.

Introduction: Cancer is caused due to abnormal cell growth. This occurs due to several genetic and epigenetic alterations that cause uncontrolled proliferation of cells. The word tumor is used to refer swelling, but now it is used to describe the new growth or neoplasm (cancerous growth). The clinical manifestations of cancer are numerous and depend on the variety and intensity of symptoms.

Expert Solution
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Explanation of Solution

The structural difference between the normal cells and cancer cells are as follows:

CharacteristicsNormal cellsCancer cells
Shape of cellsNormal and regular cellIrregular
NucleusProportionate sizeEnlarged and darker nuclei
CytoplasmNormalLittle cytoplasm
CytoskeletonNormalChanges occur in cytoskeletal structure
Plasma membraneNormalChanges occur in plasma membrane
GrowthIn controlUncontrolled growth
Contact inhibitionpresentAbsent
MortalityMortal; through apoptosisImmortal
Maturation of cellsMatures and undergo cell differentiationUndifferentiated
Summary Introduction

To determine: The relevance of altered surface proteins to uncontrolled growth.

Introduction: Cancer is caused due to abnormal cell growth. This occurs due to several genetic and epigenetic alterations that cause uncontrolled proliferation of cells. The word tumor is used to refer swelling, but now it is used to describe the new growth or neoplasm (cancerous growth). The clinical manifestations of cancer are numerous and depend on the variety and intensity of symptoms.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Some tumor or cancer cells do not express the antigens over their surface that causes failure in eliciting the immune response of the body. Altered expression of surface proteins of cells leads to the undesired changes in the cell interaction to its environment and response of surrounding cells. These cells divide rapidly and lose contact inhibition.

Cancer cells keep on growing beyond a monolayer and form a mass of cells that overlap with each other. They do not show anchorage-dependent growth. For a normal cell, cell division is limited to a monolayer. They stop cell division after forming a monolayer. Their growth is halted by contacts with neighboring cells as well as the availability of growth factors, nutrients, and substratum. After losing contact inhibition, the cell ceases to adhere within the tissue, which allows it to move away from the site of the original neoplasm.

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